Two tiny islands in the Persian Gulf hold a century-old sovereignty dispute
In short: Greater and Lesser Tunb are small, strategically vital islands near the Strait of Hormuz. Administered by Iran but claimed by the United Arab Emirates as part of Ras al-Khaimah, these islands have been the subject of shifting colonial maps, naval blockades, and military seizures for over two hundred years.
Greater Tunb, known for its red soil, and its smaller neighbor Lesser Tunb sit roughly 20 kilometers south of Iran's Qeshm Island. Their names likely derive from the Persian word for hill or low elevation. Historically, these islands were linked to the Persian province of Fars and the port of Bandar Lengeh. From the 18th century, however, the Qasimi tribe—who ruled both the Persian coast and the Arabian side of the Strait—began to complicate the islands' administrative status.
Throughout the 19th century, British officials and maps consistently identified the islands as Persian territory. Britain only shifted its stance in the late 1880s, driven by fears of Russian and German influence in the region. By 1904, a fragile 'status quo agreement' was reached, though it was quickly undermined when the Sheikh of Sharjah hoisted flags on the islands. This tension culminated on November 30, 1971, when Iranian forces seized control of the islands just as the British protectorate ended and the United Arab Emirates was formed.
Today, the islands are heavily militarized, hosting Iranian naval bases designed to monitor the Strait of Hormuz. While the UAE maintains that the islands are occupied territory and has sought international arbitration, Iran asserts that the islands have always been an integral part of its sovereign land. The dispute remains a persistent point of friction in Gulf diplomacy, with the islands' strategic location ensuring they remain at the center of regional security concerns.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Greater and Lesser Tunbs
- Also: Wikidata — Greater and Lesser Tunbs · CC0
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